Three days later, Seraphina sat in a carriage heading back to the capital, her heart pounding with nerves and anticipation.
The plan was simple but very dangerous. She would return to court not as a broken woman begging for forgiveness, but as Prince Lucien's new companion. They would attend social events together, dance together, and let everyone see them growing closer.
To the outside world, it would look like a scandalous romance between the rejected fiancée and her former betrothed's brother. But in reality, they would be gathering evidence and watching for reactions from the people behind the grain theft.
"Remember," Lucien said from the seat across from her, "we need to make this look real, but not too sudden. If we appear too close too quickly, people will think it's fake."
"So what exactly are we supposed to do?"
"Tonight there's a ball at the Westbrook estate. We'll arrive separately, but I'll ask you to dance. Just one dance, but we'll make it... memorable."
The way he said "memorable" made her stomach flutter.
"And then?"
"Then we take things slowly. A few conversations at social events. Maybe a walk in the gardens where people can see us. Let the rumors build naturally."
"What if someone asks me directly about our relationship?"
"Be honest but vague. Say that I've been kind to you during a difficult time. That you're grateful for the friendship." His green eyes met hers. "The truth is often the best lie."
As they entered the capital city, Seraphina felt like she was seeing it with new eyes. Before, these streets had seemed beautiful and prosperous. Now she noticed the beggars on the corners, the thin faces of working people, the children who looked like they didn't get enough to eat.
Somewhere in this city, people were growing rich by selling food that should have fed these hungry families.
"Are you ready for this?" Lucien asked as their carriage approached the palace district.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Good because starting tonight, everything changes."
The Westbrook ball was one of the most important social events of the season. Everyone who mattered would be there, which made it perfect for their purposes.
Seraphina arrived with her parents, who had been surprised but pleased when she announced her return to court. They assumed she was trying to rebuild her social standing after the humiliation with Prince Kael.
If only they knew the truth.
She had chosen her dress carefully, a deep blue silk gown that complemented her eyes but wasn't too flashy. She needed to look beautiful but not like she was trying too hard to gain attention.
The moment she walked into the ballroom, conversations stopped. People turned to stare, whispering behind their fans and gloved hands.
"Look, it's Lady Seraphina."
"I can't believe she came back so soon."
"How embarrassing for her."
"She should have stayed away longer."
Seraphina lifted her chin and smiled politely, playing her part perfectly. She looked confident but not arrogant, social but not desperate.
Her parents led her to greet their hosts, Lord and Lady Westbrook, who were gracious but clearly uncomfortable.
"Lady Seraphina," Lady Westbrook said with forced cheer, "how lovely to see you again. I hope you enjoyed your time in the countryside."
"Very much, thank you. Lady Blackwood was an excellent hostess."
After the polite greetings, Seraphina's parents drifted away to mingle with other guests, leaving her standing alone near the edge of the dance floor.
This was the hardest part, standing by herself while people stared and whispered. But she needed to look approachable when Lucien made his move.
She didn't have to wait long.
"Lady Seraphina."
She turned to see Prince Kael approaching, looking uncomfortable. He was dressed in his formal court attire, a dark blue jacket with gold trim that matched his blonde hair perfectly.
"Your Highness," she said with a polite curtsy.
"I... I wanted to speak with you privately."
This wasn't part of the plan. Lucien had said Kael would probably avoid her completely.
"Of course," she said.
He led her to a quiet corner of the ballroom, away from the crowds of dancing couples.
"I owe you an apology," he said without looking at her. "The way I ended our engagement was... unnecessarily cruel."
Seraphina studied his face. He did look genuinely sorry, but there was something else in his expression. Guilt? Fear?
"Why did you do it that way?" she asked softly. "If you didn't want to marry me, you could have spoken to me privately."
"I..." He ran a hand through his perfect golden hair. "There were reasons. Political reasons that I can't discuss."
"Political reasons to humiliate me in front of the entire court?"
"I was told it was necessary." His blue eyes finally met hers, and she saw real pain there. "I was told that if I didn't end things dramatically, there would be... consequences."
Her heart started beating faster. This was it, confirmation that someone had forced Kael to destroy her publicly.
"What kind of consequences?" she asked.
Before he could answer, another voice interrupted them.
"Brother, I hope you're not monopolizing the most beautiful woman at the ball."
Lucien appeared beside them, looking devastatingly handsome in black formal wear. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and his green eyes held a hint of dangerous amusement.
Kael stiffened. "Lucien. I didn't know you were attending tonight."
"Last-minute decision." Lucien's gaze shifted to Seraphina, and she felt that familiar flutter in her chest. "Lady Seraphina, you look lovely this evening."
"Thank you, Prince Lucien."
"I was just apologizing to Lady Seraphina," Kael said quickly.
"How noble of you." There was an edge to Lucien's voice that made the temperature seem to drop several degrees. "Though perhaps your apologies would mean more if they came before public humiliation rather than after."
The two brothers stared at each other, and Seraphina could feel the tension crackling between them like lightning.
"If you'll excuse me," Kael said stiffly, "I should return to my fiancée."
After he left, Lucien turned to Seraphina with concern in his eyes.
"What did he say to you?"
"That he was forced to end our engagement the way he did. That there would be consequences if he didn't make it dramatic." She lowered her voice. "Someone threatened him, Lucien."
His jaw tightened. "Which means we're on the right track. Someone powerful enough to threaten the crown prince wanted you destroyed."
The orchestra began playing a waltz, and couples moved to the dance floor.
"Dance with me," Lucien said, offering his arm.
"Are you sure? People will talk."
"Let them talk. That's the point."
She took his arm, and he led her onto the dance floor. The moment his hand touched her waist and their fingers intertwined, she felt like electricity was running through her body.
They began to move to the music, and Seraphina was amazed by how perfectly they fit together. Lucien was an excellent dancer, leading her through the steps with confident grace.
But more than that, dancing with him felt... right. It all felt natural. Like they had been dancing together for years instead of minutes.
"Everyone is watching us," she murmured as they spun past a group of wide-eyed noble ladies.
"Good. Let them watch." His green eyes never left her face. "You're doing perfectly."
"I'm not doing anything except dancing."
"You're doing more than you know." His voice was low, meant only for her ears. "You're showing them that you're not broken. That you're still a force to be reckoned with."
As they continued to dance, Seraphina became aware of the reactions around the ballroom. Some people looked shocked. Others seemed amused. A few appeared genuinely scandalized.
But the most interesting reaction came from a group of older nobles standing near the refreshment table. They were watching the dance with expressions that looked almost... worried.
"Lucien," she said quietly, "look at Lord Chancellor Aldric and his friends."
Lucien turned his head slightly to glance at the group she indicated. The Lord Chancellor was a man in his sixties with silver hair and expensive clothes. He was deep in conversation with several other high-ranking court officials.
"They don't look happy," Lucien observed.
"They look nervous."
"Interesting." He spun her again, using the movement to get another look at the group. "Lord Aldric has access to the treasury. He would have the power to arrange large grain purchases."
"And he's been at court for decades. He would know how to manipulate shipping records and forge documents."
The music came to an end, and Lucien bowed while Seraphina curtsied. The ballroom erupted in polite applause, but she could hear the underlying buzz of excited gossip.
"Thank you for the dance," Lucien said formally, but his eyes held a message of warmth and conspiracy.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
As they parted ways, Lucien heading toward a group of young noblemen, Seraphina returning to her parents, she caught one more glimpse of Lord Aldric's group.
They were still watching her, and their expressions had shifted from nervous to calculating.
Whatever they were planning, tonight had definitely gotten their attention.
"Seraphina, dear," her mother said as she rejoined her parents, "that was quite a dance."
"Prince Lucien is very skilled," she replied carefully.
"Yes, but..." Her mother looked concerned. "Are you sure it's wise to be seen with him so soon after... everything?"
"He's been kind to me, Mother. I appreciate his friendship."
Her father nodded approvingly. "The Blackwood family has always been honorable. If Prince Lucien wants to show you courtesy, there's nothing wrong with that."
As the evening continued, Seraphina made polite conversation with various guests, always aware of who was watching her and how they reacted. Several people asked subtle questions about her time at Blackwood Manor and her connection to Prince Lucien.
She answered honestly but vaguely, just as they had planned.
But the most important moment came near the end of the evening, when she overheard a conversation between two of Lord Aldric's associates.
"...needs to be handled carefully..."
"...the girl is becoming a problem again..."
"...Lucien's involvement complicates things..."
She couldn't hear more without being obvious about eavesdropping, but it was enough.
Their plan was working. The people behind the grain theft were worried about her return to court and her growing connection to Prince Lucien.
Which meant they were about to make a mistake.
And when they did, she and Lucien would be ready.